Thursday, April 23, 2009

I take a proactive approach to classroom management. I'm a subsitute teacher, so that's critical! I want to take bad behavior out of the equation before the class personality takes a crazy life of its own, erupting in chaos.After the morning routine (roll, lunch count, calendar, flag salute) I find out if the class is divided in groups - if they are not - I quickly make them up.

I tell them I will give tally marks to the groups who are working on task, respectful of one another's space, ready to transition to the next lesson, etc. Students in the top two groups at the end of the day will get a reward. With the smaller class, somehow I manage to make it a tie and the whole class earns a treat!

The result is a quieter and well behaved classroom. It is well worth the $2 or so I spend on my favorite incentive treat, the candy Smarties. I buy bags to keep on hand at the dollar store. They don't melt while stored in my "Mary Poppins Bag"and most kids like them. The best part is I tell them I chose Smartiesbecause the class is so smart. Make sure all children can have them. If there is an allergy or diabetes issue with a student, have some stickers to choose from as an alternate reward.

I love it when a teacher has his/her own behavior (raffle tickets)tickets as an incentive. I pass out those generously. When combined with the group competition, the day is definitely more enjoyable for me and them than it would have been without incentives.

As a guest teacher, it is a joy to be able to leave a notethat the class was well-behaved. It reflects positively back on us.

. . . A blog to help YOU become a savvy sub! We were all school children once. Remember when you had a substitute teacher? It was often a free-for-all for the students and a nightmare for the guest teacher. This blog will offer pointers to make a "sub day" an enjoyable and productive one for BOTH you and your students!

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About Me

FAVORITE QUOTATION:
"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."
Subbing for over 15 years gives me keen insight into this challenging and rewarding career!
Thomas Jefferson,
The 3rd President of the United States